Transparent rear bow sights

ABSTRACT

A series of transparent rear bow sights having fiber optic of various configurations for adding to the bowstring having preferably at least four strands. The bowstring can be undivided or divided up to four strand groups for attachment of the bow sight. A battery can be attached to the bowstring with its cord acting as a guide equivalent to a rubber cord guide. The simplest form of a rear bow sight has a dark colored opaque base including a plastic fiber optic pin containing tritium and supporting an inclined or perpendicularly oriented circular apertured and transparent sight window with external notches for embedding the individual or grouped strands of the drawstring. Other embodiments include various arrangements of the colored fiber optic as a U-shaped tube, a singular straight tube, two parallel straight tubes, and a combination of a straight tube intersecting the U-shaped tube portion and parallel to its legs. A modification of an optic sight tube has a portion coiled on a post emerging from the base at more than one angle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to archery equipment.More specifically, the present invention is directed to a variety ofcolored transparent bow sights attached to the bow-strings of targetpractice or hunting bows, and either with or without an elasticconnection such as a rubber or a battery-assisted light from the bowhandle to the bowstring.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] The related art of interest describes various bow sights, butnone discloses the present invention. There is a need for a sightingdevice containing fiber optics placed on a bowstring for improving one'saccuracy with or without an elastic cord connecting the bow and the rearbow sight. Alternatively, a battery-assisted light emitting diode (LED)can illuminate the fiber optics with the electrical connection actingsimilarly to the rubber band. The problem of visibility when aiming anarrow at a target arises in limited light conditions such as early dawnand dusk. Bow sights of the present invention aid in increasing thelight without an illumination aid where a jurisdiction prohibits the useof any lighting in attracting game. When self-illumination is permittedin a State, the battery and LED embodiment can be utilized. Thefollowing patents are examples of inventions that attempt to achievebetter aiming for bow hunters.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,569 issued on Dec. 7, 1999, to Keith W.Wilson describes a transparent rear bow sight which is improved by thepresent invention, and does not require an elastic cord attached to thebow and to the rear peep sight.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,011,853 issued on Mar. 15, 1977, to James D.Fletcher describes an archery peep sight comprising a disc having acentral sight opening attached to the bowstring, such that the angularinterval between a line normal to the bowstring receiving channels ofthe disc and the axis of the sight opening of the disc is 38° to 50°.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,116,194 issued on Sep. 26, 1978, to Kenneth D.Topel describes a peep sight for an archery bow comprising an elasticcord attached to the bow and to a pin on the peep sight for aligning asighting bore with a bow-mounted bow sight.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,264 issued on Oct. 9, 1990, to Kenneth D.Topel describes a restraint assembly for a string-mounted peepsightcomprising a nylon braided cord tied to an eyelet on the peepsight andto a latex surgical tubing which is tied to an anchor pad on the rear ofthe compound bow.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,552,121 issued on Nov. 12, 1985, to Mahlon L.Treaster describes an archery back sight arranged to removably snap ontoa bowstring and connected to a cord having an elastic portion and aninelastic portion which aims the backsight forwardly.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,394 issued on May 29, 1990, to James R.Sherman describes a sight device for an archery bow which includes apair of guides on which sight pin carriers are slidably mounted. Fiberoptics are carried by a base with a fiber optic end.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,007 issued on Aug. 11, 1992, to Robert C.Shoemake et al. describes an archery shooting control system comprisingan arrow nock on the bowstring, sight inserts mounted in the strands ofthe bowstring, and front sight pins mounted on a side of the handle.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,603 issued on Sep. 22, 1992, to Robert C.Beutler describes an illuminated rear peep sight mounted on a bowstringand powered by a spiral wound conductor wire connected to a battery in ahousing attached to the bow handle. The peep sight can include an ovalring, a dot and a cross hair. Alternatively, the light source can be inthe housing and the light transmitted by a fiber optic cable to the peepsight. Another alternative provides that the sighting device can be acentrally located aperture formed at an angle through the bodysurrounded by a first plurality of locator apertures formed as a crosshair, and a second plurality of target apertures formed at an angle.

[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,146 issued on Sep. 23, 1997, to Robert C.Beutler describes a changeable insert rear peep sight assemblycomprising an elliptical sighting body having slots on two sides forplacing the bow strings and a post on top and a centered insert body.The sighting aperture in the rear peep sight has a narrowed openingclosest to the eye. A rubber tube is attached to the post and to thebow.

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,598 issued on Jul. 5, 1994, to David D. Hallet al. describes a four-bowstring mounted variable apertured peep sighthaving the ability to slidably insert aperture reducing discs in thepeep sight.

[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,976 issued on Sep. 20, 1994, to Charles A.Saunders describes an octagonal-shaped peep sight for a two-bowstringbow comprising a large open sight window supporting by legs a centeredsmall peep hole.

[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,747 issued on Jan. 10, 1995, to Eddy D.Morris et al. describes a rear peep sight with a large sight window, anda device for preventing the sight from twisting during use.

[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,336 issued on Feb. 14, 1995, to Louis F.Pomaville describes a sight system including a forward pendulum sightand a rear peep sight.

[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,861 issued on Aug. 22, 1995, to Paul F.Pomaville describes a sight system including a forward pendulum sightand a rear peep sight.

[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,861 issued on Aug. 22, 1995, to Paul M.Lorocco describes a sight unit including a pin and holder adaptable formounting onto the sight assembly of an archery bow, and an elongatedlength of a light gathering fluorescent fiber defining a lens at itsdistal end to which gathered ambient light becomes focused to serve asan aiming indicia.

[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 5,450,673 issued on Sep. 19, 1995, to Don Dentondescribes a rotating disk peep sight system including a round disk witha hole punched in the center and sized to receive a bowstring. The diskhas one or more holes punched near the rim used as sighting openings.

[0021] U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,675 issued on Mar. 5, 1995, to Chaochi Huangdescribes a laser sight that may be attached to the bow and a view holeattached to the bowstring.

[0022] U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,186 issued on Aug. 6, 1996, to Charles S.Saunders describes a bowstring mounted peep sight having a skeletal ringand an interiorly mounted and transversely extending frame which definesa peep sight. The areas within the skeletal ring, but outside of thepeep sight, is used for viewing the specific target area.

[0023] U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,357 issued on Dec. 16, 1997, to Donald L.Chipman describes a peep sight installed on a divided bowstringcomprising an outer barrel, a threaded carrier, an aperture piece with atapered sighting hole, and a lens for collecting light.

[0024] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularlyor in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.Thus, transparent rear bow sights solving the aforementioned problems isdesired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The present invention is directed to transparent rear bow sightshaving fiber optics of various configurations and preferably enhancedwith a battery to be attached to a bowstring. These bow sights can beused with or without an elastic alignment cord attached to the bowhandle and bowstring. The simplest form of a rear bow sight has a darkcolored base including a colored fiber optic and supporting an inclinedcircular apertured sight with external notches for embedding theindividual or grouped drawstrings. Other embodiments include variousarrangements of the fiber optic as a U-shaped tube, a singular straighttube, two parallel straight tubes, and a combination of a straight tubebetween the legs of a horseshoe-shaped tube. Then, a modification of anoffset colored optic sight on its base which is clamped onto thebowstring is presented. The fiber optic tubes have tritium included inthe composition which enhances the light gathering ability. A secondmodification of an optic sight includes the alignment or misalignment ofthe fiber optic tube on its base. A third modification of an optic sightincludes a post attached in alignment with or skewed with the base forattachment of a rubber cord. A fourth modification includes the angularpositioning of the sight window on the base as inclined orperpendicular. A fifth modification includes the coiling of part of thefiber optic pin several times around a post which is in-line or skewedwith the base. These modifications of the fiber optic pins, the sightwindows and the addition of a post provide an assortment of sightingaids in deficient light conditions to enable the accurate shooting downof game.

[0026] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to providea rear bow sight utilizing transparent colored fiber optic pins filledwith tritium and attached to a bowstring.

[0027] It is another object of the invention to provide a reartransparent colored fiber optic bow sight assortment with up to threefiber optic tubes and being either aligned or skewed on a base.

[0028] It is a further object of the invention to provide a reartransparent colored fiber optic bow sight assortment with sight windowsperpendicular or inclined on its base and having a variety of externalnotches for embedding the individual or grouped drawstrings.

[0029] It is a further object of the invention to provide a reartransparent colored fiber optic bow sight assortment wherein the baseportion is clamped onto the bowstring.

[0030] Still another object of the invention is to provide a reartransparent colored fiber optic bow sight assortment wherein a post isattached either in alignment or skewed with the base.

[0031] Yet a further object of the invention to provide a reartransparent colored fiber optic bow sight assortment wherein the fiberoptic tube is initially coiled around a post extending from the base.

[0032] Yet still another object of the invention is to provide a reartransparent colored fiber optic bow sight assortment with a batteryattached to the bowstring.

[0033] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a reartransparent colored fiber optic bow sight assortment with an elasticcord attached to the handle and the bowstring.

[0034] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements andarrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive,dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

[0035] These and other objects of the present invention will becomereadily apparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036]FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a first embodimentof a transparent rear bow sight mounted on the bowstring according tothe present invention.

[0037]FIG. 2A is a front elevational view of the first embodiment of thepresent invention having a parallel pair of fiber optic sight pinsembedded in the base which supports a sight window with four externalnotches for the separated bowstrings.

[0038]FIG. 2B is a rear elevational view of the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0039]FIG. 2C is a side elevational view of the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0040]FIG. 3A is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of thepresent invention having a U-shaped fiber optic sight pin and a sightwindow with four spaced notches for the separated bowstring strands.

[0041]FIG. 3B is a rear elevational view of the second embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0042]FIG. 3C is a side elevational view of the second embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0043]FIG. 4A is a front elevational view of a third embodiment of thepresent invention having a U-shaped fiber optic sight pin, a base post,and a sight window with three spaced notches for the bowstrings.

[0044]FIG. 4B is a rear elevational view of a third embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0045]FIG. 4C is a side elevational view of a third embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0046]FIG. 5A is a front elevational view of a fourth and preferredembodiment of the present invention having a rectangular planar opaquebase with an opaque T-shaped support for a U-shaped fiber optic pin onan upper side and a groove in the bottom for securing the bowstring witha pair of clamp bars.

[0047]FIG. 5B is a rear elevational view of the fourth preferredembodiment of the present invention.

[0048]FIG. 5C is a right side elevational view of the fourth preferredembodiment of the present invention.

[0049]FIG. 5D is a left side elevational view of the fourth andpreferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0050]FIG. 6A is a top plan view of a fifth embodiment of a bow sightwith a single straight fiber optic sight pin.

[0051]FIG. 6B is a top plan view of a sixth embodiment of a bow sightwith a single U-shaped fiber optic sight pin.

[0052]FIG. 6C is a top plan view of a seventh embodiment of a bow sightwith two straight and parallel fiber optic sight pins.

[0053]FIG. 6D is a top plan view of an eighth embodiment of a bow sightwith three fiber optic sight pins comprising a centered straight pinintersecting a U-shaped sight pin.

[0054]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a ninth embodiment of a bowsight with three parallel fiber optic sight pins with the center fiberoptic sight pin not in line with the other two sight pins.

[0055]FIG. 8 is side elevational view of a tenth embodiment of a bowsight with two intersecting notches on opposite sides of the sightwindow.

[0056]FIG. 9A is a side elevational view of an eleventh embodiment of abow sight having an inclined sight window and a coiled fiber optic pinaround an aligned post.

[0057]FIG. 9B is a top plan view of a twelfth embodiment of a bow sighthaving a perpendicular sight window and a skewed post around which iscoiled the fiber optic pin.

[0058] Similar reference characters denote corresponding featuresconsistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0059] The present invention is directed to a transparent rear bow sightsystem with twelve embodiments utilized with or without a light sourceand with or without a cord attached between the bow and the bowstring.FIG. 1 illustrates a compound hunter's bow 10 with a hunter 12 drawingan arrow 14 on a bowstring 16 and sighting through the first embodimentdevice 18 which is illustrated more fully in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C and aforward sight pin 20. The device 18 is illuminated in situ with a lightsource 22 such as a light emitting diode (LED) energized by a battery(hidden), such as a silver oxide or lithium battery, contained in acasing 24 having an on/off switch 25 attached to the rear side of thebow 10 having a coiled electrical cord 26 attached to the device 18. Aquiet turn switch 25 is preferred over a miniaturized slide switch.

[0060] Turning to FIGS. 2A to 2C, the first transparent rear bow sight18 has a rectangular planar opaque base 28 having a longitudinal axis 30(FIG. 2C) , a front end 32 and a rear end 34. The base 28 is preferablymade from airplane aluminum coated with black paint 36 and containspartially embedded on its top surface a parallel pair of straightcolored fiber optic pins 38 which are stiff clear plastic compositionscontaining tritium. The fiber optic pins 38 have an outside diameter ofeither {fraction (1/16)} inch, {fraction (3/32)} inch or ⅛ inch, but thesmallest diameter is preferred. The base 28 can be another metal or anytype of a composite material such as machined Delrin plastic, acrylic,and the like. The colors can vary, but red and orange is preferredbecause deer are color blind. However, hunters seem to prefer yellow andgreen in rifle sights which can be seen by deer. Alternatively, a singlecolored fiber optic pin could be used, but the accuracy of aiming isenhanced by using two parallel fiber optic pins.

[0061] A transparent circular sight window portion 40 made of acrylicplastic has a rim 42 enclosing an enlarged aperture 44. Sight windowportion 40 is positioned proximate the front end 32 of the base 28, andinclined towards the end 32 at a specific angle in the range of 60° to70°. The opening 44 can be {fraction (7/16)} inch in diameter. The rim42 has a plurality of spaced external notches 46 coincident with itscentral axis. Three notches 46 are depicted in FIGS. 4A-4C, but cannumber two as a minimum for equally grouping the strands of thebowstring in each notch. Furthermore, it should be noted that thenotches 46 located in the FIGS. 2A-2C embodiment are spaced such thatthe upper two notches 48 have a wider spacing than the lower notchesfrom the upper notches. It has been found that this arrangement enhancesa more secure placement of the sight on the bowstring 16.

[0062] In FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, a second embodiment of a rear transparentbow sight 48 is illustrated. The aperture 50 has been shaped to dipbetween the colored fiber optic pins 52 which are now inclined upwardtoward the sight window 40 and joined to a U-shaped configuration 54.These pins are made from flexible plastic compositions. It has beenfound that the inclination of the pins 52 on the rectangular opaque base28 aids in a better view without a part of the optic sight 48obstructing the hunter's view.

[0063] In FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, a third embodiment of a rear transparentbow sight 56 is illustrated. The notches 46 have been reduced to threein number to accommodate a division of three strands, wherein twostrands is a minimum for this type of sight. It has been found that thelesser the division of strands of a bowstring, the better the visibilitythrough the sight. The base 58 is configured as a cylindrical rod 60supporting a planar portion 62, and the rod 60 has been shifted to therear end of the bow sight 56.

[0064] In FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D, a preferred fourth embodiment of arear transparent offset optic fiber bow sight 64 which is clampedvertically onto the bowstring is illustrated. A substantiallyrectangular planar opaque base 66 has a longitudinal axis, a top end 68and a bottom end 70. An elongated transparent housing 72 made of acrylicplastic contains a U-shaped colored fiber optic pair of pins 74 integraland aligned with a rectangular opaque T-shaped support 76 (FIG. 5D)attached to the base 66 by any fastening means such as an adhesive. Thepins 74 are intentionally misaligned at an angle of approximately 45° tothe horizontal longitudinal axis of the base 66 (FIGS. 5C and 5D). TheT-shaped support 76 is also parallel to an opaque post 78 extending fromapproximately the center of the support 76. The post 78 is utilized toattach a rubber tubing (not shown) to the bow for alignment purposes asis conventional in the archery art.

[0065] A groove 80 in the bottom of the base 66 accepts the bowstringwhich is clamped down by a pair of clamp bars 82 fastened to the base 66by fasteners 84. Alternatively, a single centered clamp bar 82 can beused. By routine experimentation, the best position for this bow sight64 can be determined and the base 66 clamped securely to the bowstring.

[0066] In the fifth to eighth embodiments of FIGS. 6A through 6D,respectively, various configurations of the colored fiber optic tubes ofa rear transparent bow sight are illustrated. The fifth embodiment ofFIG. 6A shows a single straight colored fiber optic pin 86 encased in atransparent acrylic housing 88. The sixth embodiment of FIG. 6B depictsa U-shaped colored fiber optic pin 90 encased in a housing 88. Theseventh embodiment of FIG. 6C illustrates two straight and parallelfiber optic pins 92 encased in a housing 88. Finally, the eighthembodiment of FIG. 6D shows a combination colored fiber optic 94 encasedin a housing 88, wherein a U-shaped pin 96 is intersected by a straightpin 98 which is parallel to the legs of the U-shaped pin 96. In theconfigurations illustrated in FIGS. 6A through 6D, the hunter has achoice of which fiber optic configuration is best for him or her.

[0067] In the ninth embodiment of FIG. 7, the bow sight 100 is shown ina side elevational view as positioned on a bowstring for a right-handedarcher. Bow sight 100 has three parallel colored fiber optic sight pins102 in a transparent housing 104 with the center pin not in line withthe other two outside pins. The housing 104 is attached perpendicularlyto the opaque base 106. The base 106 is attached to the bowstring by asingle clamp 108 and a pair of fasteners 110.

[0068] In the tenth embodiment of FIG. 8, the bow sight 112 has aninclined sight window 114 with two intersecting notches 116 on oppositesides of the sight window for attaching the bowstrings. These notches116 allow this type of bow sight to be positioned at two differentangles to be properly set for a short (more inclined notch) or a longdraw length for a specific archer. A U-shaped colored fiber optic pin isinclined upward in a transparent housing 120 positioned on an opaquebase 122. This arrangement enhances the stability of the bow sight 112.

[0069] In the eleventh embodiment of FIG. 9A, the bow sight 124 has asingle colored fiber optic pin 126 coiled initially around an alignedpost 128 approximately twice to maximize the available light. The sightwindow 130 has three notches 132 spaced 120° apart with the middle notchon top. The window 130 is inclined away from the coils on an opaquerectangular base 134 and includes a transparent housing 136 having thestraight portion of the fiber optic pin 126 inclined upward.

[0070] In the twelfth embodiment of FIG. 9B, the bow sight 138 has asimilar single colored fiber optic pin 140 coiled around a post 142 atone end which is skewed approximately 40° from a substantiallyrectangular primary base 144 with round corners 146 and on its bottom agroove and clamp bars similar to those shown in FIG. 5C. The sightwindow 148 is positioned similar to that in FIG. 9A. However, the sightwindow 148 is positioned perpendicularly on the primary base 144 andskewed relative to the longitudinal axis of the base 144. Thetransparent housing 152 is positioned on a smaller secondary opaque base154 and houses the straight portion of the colored fiber optic pin 140along one side.

[0071] The coiling aspect of the colored fiber optic pin can be appliedto all the other aforementioned embodiments to improve their lightgathering. Also, the addition of tritium gas inside each colored opticsight pin enhances the gathering of light in every embodiment.

[0072] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limitedto the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and allembodiments within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A transparent rear bow sight system for a bow having a multiple stranded bowstring and a forward sight pin comprising: a rear bow sight device comprising: a planar opaque base; a transparent housing positioned on and integral with said base; at least one colored transparent fiber optic pin embedded and inclined in said transparent housing; and a circular transparent sight window having a plurality of peripheral spaced notches and a central aperture positioned on said base; whereby the rear bow sight device with its at least one fiber optic pin is held by strands of the bowstring in the notches of the sight window, and the rear bow sight device is aligned with the forward sight pin when the bowstring is drawn full for accuracy in dim light conditions.
 2. The transparent rear bow sight system according to claim 1, including a post extending from said base.
 3. The transparent rear bow sight system according to claim 2, including a hollow rubber tubing having its ends attached to the post and to the bow.
 4. The transparent rear bow sight system according to claim 1, including a battery in a holder attached to the bow, and a coiled electrical cord extending from the battery attached electrically to the at least one colored transparent fiber optic pin in the transparent rear bow sight.
 5. The transparent rear bow sight system according to claim 4, including an on/off switch electrically connected to the battery and selected from the group consisting of a slide switch, a rotary switch and a rocker switch for minimizing noise when energizing the colored optic pin.
 6. The transparent rear bow sight system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fiber optic pin comprises a U-shaped pin.
 7. The transparent rear bow sight system according to claim 6, further comprising a straight fiber optic pin intersecting and parallel to said U-shaped pin.
 8. The transparent rear bow sight system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fiber optic pin includes two parallel straight pins so that the sight pin may be centered between the parallel pins when aiming.
 9. The transparent rear bow sight system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fiber optic pin includes three parallel straight pins.
 10. The transparent rear bow sight system according to claim 1, wherein the sight window is positioned at one end of the base and inclined away from said base at an angle approximately 110°.
 11. The transparent rear bow sight system according to claim 1, wherein the sight window is positioned at one end of the base at an angle of 90°.
 12. The transparent rear bow sight system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of peripheral spaced notches in said sight window consists of at least two but fewer than five notches.
 13. The transparent rear bow sight system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fiber optic pin contains tritium.
 14. The transparent rear bow sight system according to claim 1, further comprising an opaque T-shaped support attached to said base, the at least one fiber optic pin and housing being mounted in the T-shaped support.
 15. The transparent rear bow sight system according to claim 14, wherein said base has a post attached at an angle to said base and parallel to the T-shaped support.
 16. The transparent rear bow sight system according to claim 15, wherein the base has a longitudinal groove in its bottom surface.
 17. The transparent rear bow sight system according to claim 16, wherein said base has up to two clamp bars.
 18. The transparent rear bow sight system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of peripheral notches of said sight window includes two intersecting notches.
 19. The transparent rear bow sight system according to claim 1, wherein a post extends axially from one end of the base, one end of the at least one fiber optic pin being coiled around the post, and wherein the sight window is inclined at an opposite end of the base away from the post.
 20. The transparent rear bow sight system according to claim 1, wherein a post extends at an acute angle from one end of the base, one end of the at least one fiber optic pin being coiled around the post, and wherein the sight window is positioned perpendicular to the base. 